While wood staining can give you a very distinct look, if you want something a bit more natural, you need to be careful. DIY staining has the potential to end up blotchy and uneven unless you work with care. Unlike paint, staining is transparent and lets the wood grain show through easily, as well as the natural color.
Choosing the Stain
First of all, if you want a natural looking finish to your wood, you will need to select a stain that won’t drastically darken or change the color. It’s a good idea to test a little of the stain you’re considering on a scrap of the same type of wood you are treating. The samples in the shop will give you a general idea, but you won’t be able to tell exactly what it will look like on your project unless you try.
Also, be sure to purchase enough stain to finish the entire project so you don’t have to buy more in the middle. This can result in getting a different dye batch, which can actually be fairly noticeable.
Applying the Stain
When it comes to wood staining, you want to ensure that you have a clean surface to work with. DIY staining is fairly easy, but you’ll want to remove any oils or paint. Staining can then commence.
Apply with a brush and then wipe away with a rag once the stain has penetrated the desired amount. Dampening the wood ahead of time with a moistened paintbrush will help the stain spread more evenly to give a natural look.
If you want something more natural than paint, staining the wood of just about any project is a good way to go. DIY staining may seem quite complicated and frightening, but you can always practice wood staining on a scrap first, if you feel very unsure of yourself. Then go ahead and tackle that big project!
